66% of those who participated in a poll in the U.S. showed a preference for manufacturer’s food labels to reveal what products contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Since over 90% of U.S. corn crops are genetically modified, it is no wonder more insightful consumers are in support of transparent food labeling. Genetically modified foods are among us and have been for some time, and you might not even know you are ingesting the experimental fares. In primary school you may have learned that by putting a seed in a cup, providing good dirt, water and sunlight you would soon have… read more

Manmade garbage islands are the epitome of a wasteful society, and one is an ever growing reminder of the tossed out and seemingly forgotten. A former inlet west of Malé called Thilafushi, a water haven with white sand beaches, became a growing lure for tourists. This created another growing problem, waste. Garbage became an overwhelming issue in the area, and it received an altering transformation in 1992. The idea was concocted to dig into the watery earth of the cove and use the depth to conceal the ever-piling trash. Far from a sensible approach to waste management, excess trash soon began stemming… read more

Art centered around the world’s oceans can make a strong statement. Zhan Wang is an internationally known artist who has been creating for several decades. One of his more famous works titled the Floating Mountain of Immortals is created from steel formed over natural rock, which is later extracted. The exhibit has shown worldwide, including a stay off the Belgian coast in the North Sea. From far away the formed together objects look like a shiny island. A closer look reveals it is actually a manmade rock that houses many everyday items, fused together for display. The steel island incorporates forms like mythological… read more

Transparency in the food supply is more important than ever. It is great to know more about where our food is grown, raised and what it contains. However, for those of us who wonder where our food actually comes from, we also need to be aware of who is behind the production. Farmers, laborers and families represent the force behind our food supply. A new must-see documentary has just been released called Food Chains that exposes this largely unnoticed operation and the real people who are behind stocking our shelves. The spotlight is placed on the U.S. agricultural industry, government… read more

Old carpeting and remnants can account for a surprising amount of waste. Though most carpet does end up in the landfill, it can be recycled. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency statistics, in 2011 the amount of carpet that was recycled averaged 9%. The following designs are surprisingly made from old carpet, and are also examples of just what can be done with creative recycling endeavors. You would never think that this children’s bike was made entirely from residential nylon carpet. Called the Wishbone Bike Recycled Edition 3 In 1 from Wishbone Design Studio, it is constructed from 100% post-consumer… read more

Human emotions are not something we may stop and reflect on throughout the day; however we are certainly aware of when we are in a bad mood, and how that is drastically different from being in a good one. It is nothing new that design can influence mood. The idea that emotions can be effected by design choices like color, light and exposure to nature has long been studied. However, the field of neuroarchitecture tries to go further to understand why and how the human brain’s response to its environment has such an effect. According to the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture,… read more

Learning about manmade and natural disasters can give perspective on environmental concerns and historical facts. Uncovering past experiences about places can be interesting, but even more intriguing is digging up information about entire populations and towns that have been affected by unforeseen circumstances. For instance, the town of Wittenoom, Australia has a unique slogan that can be found on a circulating flier: “Visiting Wittenoom is not worth risking your life.” More than scary signage, it actually serves as an ominous warning. The town was built up as a productive mining community. However, it was not until after the mine workers and… read more

Project Vortex is a unique resource offering a cooperative network of global artists, architects and creative types that use plastics as a medium for their work. Utilizing ocean plastic offers a way to reduce the amount of pollution in the gyres, where an incredible amount of it circles around the world’s waterways. They provide a list of collaborating artists, display gallery pieces and sponsor exhibits made mostly from plastic ocean debris. They also offer educational resources, like Project Vortex University, thier online library which provides a connection for individuals who are trying to find a way to work with plastic ocean… read more

Art therapy, or utilizing art and materials to express one’s thoughts, feelings and emotions through creative processes, can be especially beneficial for children and adolescents. Anyone can use art therapy to explore and manage emotional states, and it is helpful to children who may not yet be able to, or might not prefer to, communicate about issues that may be more readily expressed through various mediums. There is no right or wrong answer in art therapy, and it can be used in conjunction with or without other therapies to address a range of conditions, emotions and everyday concerns. One great example of how… read more

Diatoms are single‐celled microalgae that have exterior shells. Their shells resemble intricate, polished glass, and they all have distinct and interesting presentations. They are located in all water environments and are thought to have emerged over 180 million years ago. The world of diatoms are largely mysterious, and reportedly contains over 200, 000 mostly unknown species. Though they live in a world unbeknownst to most, they have a large impact on the global climate and carbon dioxide levels. The significance of their ecosystems in marine and freshwater habitats is also essential. Diatoms are responsible for over 20% of the photosynthesis that occurs… read more